Inclined Retaining Wall Stabilization via Load Distribution Bodies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inclined retaining walls, particularly those with insufficient foundations, are at risk of instability and potential collapse due to earth pressure and shifts in their center of gravity, which existing methods like grouting cannot adequately address.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using flushing and drainage bores to create load distribution cavities, with anchor rods anchored both in load distribution bodies and the retaining wall, transmitting horizontal forces into the soil to stabilize the wall, and additional wall drilling to secure the retaining wall with tie rods, ensuring stability against gravitational shifts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If grouting with mortar is used to solidify the wall core, then wall connection is improved, but stability against earth pressure and gravitational shifts is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall connectionVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining wall is divided into segments by installing multiple load distribution bodies at predetermined distances, creating separate arch effect zones that collectively support earth pressure while individual segments can be independently anchored

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Load distribution bodies serve as intermediary elements between the retaining wall and the soil behind it, transferring and distributing forces through these intermediate structures to achieve stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If load distribution bodies are arranged to support earth pressure, then earth pressure relief is improved, but stability against gravitational collapse is not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveearth pressureVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The load distribution bodies serve multiple functions: they distribute earth pressure through arch effect, provide anchoring points for ground anchors, and act as connection elements for tie rods that prevent gravitational collapse, making the structure universally effective against multiple failure modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional wall drilling is performed to anchor the retaining wall, then stability is improved, but construction effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidconstruction effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flushing and drainage bores serve dual purposes: they are used for their original function of water management and simultaneously serve as wall bores for receiving anchor rods, eliminating the need for separate drilling operations and reducing overall construction effort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functions are merged into single structural elements: the load distribution bodies combine earth pressure distribution, ground anchoring, and tie rod anchoring functions, while the flushing/drainage bores combine water management and anchor installation functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively stabilizes inclined retaining walls by distributing horizontal forces into the soil, preventing loss of stability and ensuring static verifiability with minimal additional effort, as the existing bores are utilized for anchor rods and further drilling enhances anchoring points.

Implementation Method 1

the wall bores are flushed out with high pressure, preferably by means of high-pressure rotary lances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-pressure flushing: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

anchor rods inserted into the wall bores and then anchored both in the load distribution bodies and in the wall bores of the retaining wall create a force-transmitting connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical anchoring: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The earth pressure is supported by the arch effect on the load distribution bodies arranged at predetermined distances from one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArch effect: Arch

Implementation Method 4

the wall holes are grouted with mortar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrouting: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2141287B1Method of constructing a retaining wall
Publication Date: 2011.11.09 BAU SANIERUNGSTECHN
  • EP2141287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2141287B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2141287B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves washing a rear side of load distribution-cavities (8), and arranging wall holes (9, 10) in the load distribution-cavities through a retaining wall (1). A load distribution unit is formed in the load distribution-cavities by filling with mortar. The load distribution unit is anchored by a base anchor (5), and anchor rods are inserted into the wall holes. Ends of the anchor rods are anchored to the load distribution unit, where the ends passes into the load distribution-cavities, and the wall holes are injected with the mortar.